Drainlife are a band from the Netherlands who describe themselves as metalcore band. Now, although the band does have breakdowns and some of the other aspects of the metalcore genre, I hear just as much Pantera like groove metal in many of the songs as well. This is a sound that many of us have grown to hate due to the proliferation of bands like this who are, quite frankly, horrible and popular solely due to haircuts and goofy pink t-shirts. As a result there have been very few bands in the metalcore genre that I've actually liked with the only ones I actually do being As I lay Dying, Killswitch Engage, Trivium and Odium. The reason why I like these bands and rarely any other "core" bands is due the fact (in my opinion at least) that they actually write good songs and (again, in my opinion) try to make the genre sound fresh and inventive rather than manufactured.
Now, Drainlife to their credit aren't trying to sound like every other metalcore band out there and in fact put just as much thrash and death metal into their songs as they do "core". Yes there are breakdowns, but (thank god) there are no forced "clean vocals" which is one of the main annoyances I have about many metalcore bands. Most seem to force the clean/harsh vocals into the song where in fact one or the other would have worked just fine. Drainlife avoids this pitfall and also manage to write some songs that are hooky and headbangable at the same time.
As a result the band has written an album that could actually be enjoyed by the average traditional metalhead in addition to the average metalcore fan. The album isn't revolutionary, but it is decent and should be checked out.
Track Listing
1. Beneath the Realm of Ashes
2. ... Of Beast and Man
3. Crusades of Hypocrisy
4. Upon the Shores of Redemption
5. 10,000 Years
6. The Dying of Winters
7. Misanthrope
8. The Fall of Life
9. Cursed Winds
10. Ad Victorem Spolias
11. Solitude
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